THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050491
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: North Carolina Briefs
DATELINE: COROLLA LENGTH: 27 lines
The search for a 51-year-old Chesapeake man missing since Jan. 11 has been discontinued.
Phillip Boedker is believed to have died when a 17-foot boat capsized in Currituck Sound. The bodies of three people - including two small boys - were recovered after the duck-hunting trip turned to tragedy. One man survived after 14 hours in the near-freezing waters.
Hopes for Boedker's recovery heightened over the weekend when sonar equipment was made available to Currituck County rescue personnel by a Virginia Beach firm.
County spokesperson John Mulvey said rescuers believed they saw Boedker's body on sonar readings Sunday night. Rescuers searched the scene Monday, but were unsuccessful.
``A North Carolina Wildlife boat will continue to be out on the water searching for his body,'' said Mulvey.
Boedker's wife Billie said she expected Monday's news. ``I sort of prepared myself that this would eventually have to come to an end,'' Boedker said. ``I was at the site on Saturday, and was just so impressed with everything that everyone was trying to do. I know that everyone has done all they can do.''